Wednesday, March 3, 2010
L. A. Burdick's - A Restaurant Review
copyright The Bettina Network, inc.
52-D Bratle Street
Cambridge, MA. 02138
Phone: 617-491-4340
website: burdickchocolate.com
Hours: Sunday 9am-9pm, Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-10pm
Visiting the newly renovated Burdick's was a bit of a disappointment. I passed many times, but didn't stop because I didn't have time to wait in the line which seemed to be perennially outside the door - to the point of having signs telling you not to block the neighboring store and how to stand in line to wait.
I passed with a friend about noon this week and was able to get in without waiting and to even get an empty table.
Given all the people in line, I expected an outstanding list of offerings and there was my first disappointment. The lines formed because there are only ten tables in the restaurant and those are tiny table which can barely accommodate two people. On one side there are six tables with seating for two - on the other side there are four table with seating for one at each table unless you want to scrunch in and squeeze next to the two people at the neighboring table trying to do the same thing.
People seemed to be there for the hot chocolate since that is what was on everyone's table. That was great, but I wanted something more. Friends have given me boxes of chocolate from Burdick's, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was like a teaser, which wasn't followed through on by what I found in the restaurant.
We had two chocolate pastries, which were good, but they took me back to when such pastries were introduced in the U. S. about 1980's. It was kind of ho-hum and not really spectacular.
Getting tired of being pushed into the people at the next table, I bypassed the hot chocolate and wanted to go home where I had organic chocolate waiting for me.
It is very hard to enjoy a restaurant when you have accumulated a bit of knowledge about real food and your taste buds have moved definitely way beyond your childhood tastes.
Bottom line for us - Burdick's is a nice place to go if you want to buy a gift for someone and you think a pretty box of chocolates would do. Beyond that I don't see the attraction.
I went to Burdick's before they renovated the store and I like the old store better. The tables were larger, you could sit with your friends and enjoy conversation with what you were eating. This is neither one thing nor the other.
The bare wood floor down the middle of the store which divides the tables - looks as though an aisle was made so those coming in to buy something would have room to wait in line while others eat on the sidelines. As a consequence, the light color of the wood may have been a nice idea on paper, but it has worn and looks as though it needs more stain to cover the wear which is not that appetizing as you sit and try to enjoy your dessert. Neither is it great to sit at those tiny tables, trying to balance yourself with people coming and going and sweeping past you. The concept of the store leaves a lot to be desired and is not the sophisticated place Burdick's marketing claims.
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52-D Bratle Street
Cambridge, MA. 02138
Phone: 617-491-4340
website: burdickchocolate.com
Hours: Sunday 9am-9pm, Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-10pm
Visiting the newly renovated Burdick's was a bit of a disappointment. I passed many times, but didn't stop because I didn't have time to wait in the line which seemed to be perennially outside the door - to the point of having signs telling you not to block the neighboring store and how to stand in line to wait.
I passed with a friend about noon this week and was able to get in without waiting and to even get an empty table.
Given all the people in line, I expected an outstanding list of offerings and there was my first disappointment. The lines formed because there are only ten tables in the restaurant and those are tiny table which can barely accommodate two people. On one side there are six tables with seating for two - on the other side there are four table with seating for one at each table unless you want to scrunch in and squeeze next to the two people at the neighboring table trying to do the same thing.
People seemed to be there for the hot chocolate since that is what was on everyone's table. That was great, but I wanted something more. Friends have given me boxes of chocolate from Burdick's, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was like a teaser, which wasn't followed through on by what I found in the restaurant.
We had two chocolate pastries, which were good, but they took me back to when such pastries were introduced in the U. S. about 1980's. It was kind of ho-hum and not really spectacular.
Getting tired of being pushed into the people at the next table, I bypassed the hot chocolate and wanted to go home where I had organic chocolate waiting for me.
It is very hard to enjoy a restaurant when you have accumulated a bit of knowledge about real food and your taste buds have moved definitely way beyond your childhood tastes.
Bottom line for us - Burdick's is a nice place to go if you want to buy a gift for someone and you think a pretty box of chocolates would do. Beyond that I don't see the attraction.
I went to Burdick's before they renovated the store and I like the old store better. The tables were larger, you could sit with your friends and enjoy conversation with what you were eating. This is neither one thing nor the other.
The bare wood floor down the middle of the store which divides the tables - looks as though an aisle was made so those coming in to buy something would have room to wait in line while others eat on the sidelines. As a consequence, the light color of the wood may have been a nice idea on paper, but it has worn and looks as though it needs more stain to cover the wear which is not that appetizing as you sit and try to enjoy your dessert. Neither is it great to sit at those tiny tables, trying to balance yourself with people coming and going and sweeping past you. The concept of the store leaves a lot to be desired and is not the sophisticated place Burdick's marketing claims.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Labels: Restaurant Review
Friday, January 8, 2010
Darwin's Ltd. (A Review)
2010 copyright The Bettina Network, inc.
148 Mount Auburn St.
Cambridge, MA. 02138
617 354 5233
www.darwinsltd.com
hours: 6:30am - 9pm six days/week
sundays: 7am - 9pm
A really Cambridge-style grocery, deli, wine-cheese-beer store, with tables for those who want to visit and eat and enjoy this neighborhood gathering place. It is a magnet for those who want a Harvard Square experience they can go home and talk about.
Darwin's on Mount Auburn Street, while being Cambridge, has an underlying New York tone, which makes it a little more upscale.
What we liked best about Darwin's was the picnic basket you could order and take with you wherever you wanted to go. Not many of us can find such when traveling, especially a picnic with good food.
Second were the sandwiches! They are incredible. Buy one and have lunch and dinner, just ask them to cut it in half and wrap the second half for take-out.
The ambiance drew us in - it is great - would the food keep us there and make us want to return. Well, we were at Darwin's two or three times in so many days. Whenever we were there, someone always came in who we knew and we wound up with a table for four instead of the two of us who first wandered in wondering if the food would live up to the promise of the environment.
Our table mates bought a very nice bottle of wine, shared it and took what was left home with them.
There are enough teas at Darwin's to satisfy anyone and you can order a pot to just sit and savor. And as for Bettina's, they would approve because a full third of the teas are organic.
If you want lunch, you have to go early. Darwin's is a popular place. At lunchtime you will find a line which curls around, sometimes going outside as people come in for lunch from all around the area. That tells you about Darwin's reputation.
We particularly liked the soup. It was a cold day and we weren't sure what we wanted, but when we saw the soups, we knew that would be our late lunch. We also liked the pastries and brought some back with us for another day.
Darwin's had several kinds of beer, but not being connoisseurs, we can't comment pro or con.
There were people reading newspapers, visiting with friends, some were sitting on the bench outside Darwin's eating - because smoking is not allowed inside - and it was cold outside, but they didn't seem to even notice as they gestured-laughed-and generally enjoyed themselves on a cold Cambridge day eating on Mount Auburn Street.
We very much recommend Darwin's and hope you enjoy whatever you eat there.
Editor's Note: Steve and Isabel Darwin's parents stayed at one of the Bettina homes in Harvard Square when they visited Cambridge to help their children get the store ready for its opening. Their parents are in the same business so the Darwin children had good consulting experience, which they used for the opening and beyond.
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
148 Mount Auburn St.
Cambridge, MA. 02138
617 354 5233
www.darwinsltd.com
hours: 6:30am - 9pm six days/week
sundays: 7am - 9pm
A really Cambridge-style grocery, deli, wine-cheese-beer store, with tables for those who want to visit and eat and enjoy this neighborhood gathering place. It is a magnet for those who want a Harvard Square experience they can go home and talk about.
Darwin's on Mount Auburn Street, while being Cambridge, has an underlying New York tone, which makes it a little more upscale.
What we liked best about Darwin's was the picnic basket you could order and take with you wherever you wanted to go. Not many of us can find such when traveling, especially a picnic with good food.
Second were the sandwiches! They are incredible. Buy one and have lunch and dinner, just ask them to cut it in half and wrap the second half for take-out.
The ambiance drew us in - it is great - would the food keep us there and make us want to return. Well, we were at Darwin's two or three times in so many days. Whenever we were there, someone always came in who we knew and we wound up with a table for four instead of the two of us who first wandered in wondering if the food would live up to the promise of the environment.
Our table mates bought a very nice bottle of wine, shared it and took what was left home with them.
There are enough teas at Darwin's to satisfy anyone and you can order a pot to just sit and savor. And as for Bettina's, they would approve because a full third of the teas are organic.
If you want lunch, you have to go early. Darwin's is a popular place. At lunchtime you will find a line which curls around, sometimes going outside as people come in for lunch from all around the area. That tells you about Darwin's reputation.
We particularly liked the soup. It was a cold day and we weren't sure what we wanted, but when we saw the soups, we knew that would be our late lunch. We also liked the pastries and brought some back with us for another day.
Darwin's had several kinds of beer, but not being connoisseurs, we can't comment pro or con.
There were people reading newspapers, visiting with friends, some were sitting on the bench outside Darwin's eating - because smoking is not allowed inside - and it was cold outside, but they didn't seem to even notice as they gestured-laughed-and generally enjoyed themselves on a cold Cambridge day eating on Mount Auburn Street.
We very much recommend Darwin's and hope you enjoy whatever you eat there.
Editor's Note: Steve and Isabel Darwin's parents stayed at one of the Bettina homes in Harvard Square when they visited Cambridge to help their children get the store ready for its opening. Their parents are in the same business so the Darwin children had good consulting experience, which they used for the opening and beyond.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOUTRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Labels: Making Connections, Restaurant Review
Monday, September 28, 2009
Dali Restaurant and Tapas Bar (A Review)
copyright Bettina Network, inc. and (Eska) 2009
415, Washington Street
Somerville, MA 02143.
(Corner of Beacon & Washington Sts)
Ph.: 617-661-3254 Fax 617-661-2813
Web: www.dalirestaurant.com
House: dinner, 5:30-11pm, Sunday noon
Phone: 617 661 3254 Fax 617 661 2813
A visit to the Dali Restaurant is appropriate both for a romantic evening for two or a lovely night for a group. Small private tables within their own compartments and larger tables in open areas make this possible. The detailed decor is a feast for the eyes (picture yourself inside one of Salvador Dali's paintings).
Either way, prepare yourself for a festival of flavors. You can find traditional Spanish dishes such as paella, a rich rice stew seasoned with saffron into which might be mixed a wide range of vegetables, sausage, chicken, meat, and seafood (the possibilities are endless; I have three cookbooks on my shelf containing nothing but paella recipes).
The real specialty of the restaurant is the numerous tapas, small plates, that enable the diner to sample many different dishes to make a meal. Each member of your party should start with three or so, but it's not likely that you'll stop there. Perhaps some thinly sliced serrano ham, the finest in the world, and some marinated olives to whet your appetite. If you're more adventurous, perhaps some octopus vinagrette. The wonderful thing about tapas is that you can stick mostly with your favorites, or be just a little adventurous, or maybe a lot. Never had stuffed squid in its own ink or pheasant or quail or rabbit or venison? Try them all in a single dining experience, each in a regional Spanish preparation. My personal favorites are braised rabbit in a red wine, juniper, and garlic sauce, and venison sausage in pomegranate sauce, but the tapas menu changes monthly, so
there's almost always something new to try, even after repeated visits.
The Dali Restaurant features a delicious, all Spanish wine list, many at surprisingly affordable prices, to accompany your meal, but perhaps you'll want to try their home-made sangria, which has little in common with the prepackaged products that you can find in your local wine store.
The staff are very attentive and efficient; they've always been anxious to make my visit an evening to remember. The Dali Restaurant is to be recommended both for an intimate evening for two or a party for multitudes.
(ed.note) a restaurant review by a Bettina guest who frequents the Dali Restaurant and Tapas Bar.
415, Washington Street
Somerville, MA 02143.
(Corner of Beacon & Washington Sts)
Ph.: 617-661-3254 Fax 617-661-2813
Web: www.dalirestaurant.com
House: dinner, 5:30-11pm, Sunday noon
Phone: 617 661 3254 Fax 617 661 2813
A visit to the Dali Restaurant is appropriate both for a romantic evening for two or a lovely night for a group. Small private tables within their own compartments and larger tables in open areas make this possible. The detailed decor is a feast for the eyes (picture yourself inside one of Salvador Dali's paintings).
Either way, prepare yourself for a festival of flavors. You can find traditional Spanish dishes such as paella, a rich rice stew seasoned with saffron into which might be mixed a wide range of vegetables, sausage, chicken, meat, and seafood (the possibilities are endless; I have three cookbooks on my shelf containing nothing but paella recipes).
The real specialty of the restaurant is the numerous tapas, small plates, that enable the diner to sample many different dishes to make a meal. Each member of your party should start with three or so, but it's not likely that you'll stop there. Perhaps some thinly sliced serrano ham, the finest in the world, and some marinated olives to whet your appetite. If you're more adventurous, perhaps some octopus vinagrette. The wonderful thing about tapas is that you can stick mostly with your favorites, or be just a little adventurous, or maybe a lot. Never had stuffed squid in its own ink or pheasant or quail or rabbit or venison? Try them all in a single dining experience, each in a regional Spanish preparation. My personal favorites are braised rabbit in a red wine, juniper, and garlic sauce, and venison sausage in pomegranate sauce, but the tapas menu changes monthly, so
there's almost always something new to try, even after repeated visits.
The Dali Restaurant features a delicious, all Spanish wine list, many at surprisingly affordable prices, to accompany your meal, but perhaps you'll want to try their home-made sangria, which has little in common with the prepackaged products that you can find in your local wine store.
The staff are very attentive and efficient; they've always been anxious to make my visit an evening to remember. The Dali Restaurant is to be recommended both for an intimate evening for two or a party for multitudes.
(ed.note) a restaurant review by a Bettina guest who frequents the Dali Restaurant and Tapas Bar.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S.
Labels: Guest comments, Restaurant Review
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Tea Leaf
copyright The Bettina Network, inc. 2009
Waltham, MA. 02453 11:30am - 5:30pm
781-891-1900 web site: thetealeaf.us
We spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying a 'low tea'. We could have chosen 'Cream Tea', 'Light Tea', 'Children's Afternoon Tea' or we could have ordered from the a la carte menu. The only draw back was the fact that none of this was organic.
When one walks into The Tea Leaf, you have to pause a moment to take in where you are. You feel as though you have been transported to another place and time, apart from the one you were in moments before on a busy street with cars and other contributors to 21st century life outside.
There are only five or six tables (don't remember exactly) with flowing brocade cloths which also covers all of chairs. Shelves on one entire side line the place with teas of every description all for sale. Another wall has beautiful 'things' all tea related - prints in interesting frames, pictures created from layers of paper depicting tea parties, dolls in 19th century dress. Look up over the tea shelves and one finds tea pots by the dozen. One can shop before or after having tea for beaded purses, scarves, tea pots of every description, cups and even clothes. But we were there for tea.
We had two menus - one for tea and one for everything else. What a nice switch from being presented with the wine list.
It took a few minutes for our order to arrive, but we enjoyed just sitting and soaking up the atmosphere. It wasn't high French elegance, it was lovely, middle class Victorian England with an American entrepreneurial twist.
Our 'low tea' was wonderful. You will probably find some of the ideas of this service showing up in Bettina breakfasts and/or afternoon tea in houses which serve such.
Food was served on a three tier tray - scones, with clotted cream and strawberry preserves on the bottom tier, finger sandwiches elegantly made on the second level and small assorted dessert pieces on top. We each had a pot of tea and we ate everything except the scones.
We started with the finger sandwiches which were made for tea service. They were perfection - with the expected cucumber, cream cheese, parsley combination to the unexpected very Italian-like eggplant sandwich. The cut sides of the sandwiches were dipped in finely chopped herbs and they were half white and half wholewheat bread, very thinly sliced.
After a few moments to recover from the swoon, we looked at the scones - tasted one - and decided they would be left. Our organic food bias threw up barriers to scones which looked and tasted as though they were made with bisquick or its equivalent. They were not what we wanted to intrude on our lovely 'low tea', in spite of the clotted cream and strawberry preserves.
So on to the 'assorted sweets'. These began to restore our excitement about The Tea Leaf. They were all wonderful, except, maybe, the Madeleines. - After one bite we decided not to ruin the rest of the sweets by continuing to eat this one.
The proprietor fits the tea house. She was very knowledgeable about her teas and very gracious in her service - which was impeccable.
Our thanks to Thom Roach of Gore Place for telling us about The Tea Leaf and with the above caveats included we elegantly recommend it to you for an afternoon well spent.
One bonus - we eavesdropped on the next table talking about their impressions of the inauguration and they were fun to hear, but after a few minutes we couldn't hear them anymore because the atmosphere and food of The Tea Leaf changed the focus of our attention.
One does need reservations before arriving because you are greeted when you step in the door by the proprietress who very pointedly asks "do YOU have reservations!"
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG e-mail comments to info@bettina-network.com
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IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU TRAVEL. 1-800-347-9166 or 617-497-9166
Labels: Restaurant Review
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Flour Bakery
copyright 2008 Alice Mitchell
editor's note: This is a restaurant Alice's daughter takes her parents to when they are visiting her in Boston and they all look forward to stopping there and love the place. (Please note - the food is not organic).
Boston, MA. 02118
telephone:617-267-4300
hours: Mon-Fri 7a-9p; Sat 8a-6p; Sun 9a-5p
web site: www.flourbakery.com
One of the delights on the way to the new ICA Museum in Boston is to stop at Flour Bakery for lunch! Besides the mouth watering pastry, coffee cakes and cookies, Flour Bakery features wonderful and generous portions of soups, salads and sandwiches.
Joanne Chang, the owner and fantastic baker was an honors graduate of Harvard College with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics. She left a career as a management consultant to enter the world of professional cooking.
I like that one can find the very rich and also the more basic cake and bread. Flour Bakery was featured on "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" on the Food Network in which Joanne's sticky buns won over Chef Flay's judges.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG e-mail comments to info@bettina-network.com
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Labels: Restaurant Review
Monday, June 23, 2008
Antico Forno
copyright 2008 Susan Turtz
In our recent trip to Boston we visited one of our favorite restaurants in the North End. (The traditionally Italian Section of Boston).
Antico Forno
93 Salem St. North End
Boston, MA 617-723-6733
When you walk into Antico Forno, the first thing that will strike you is the noise. Happy diners seem to love to chatter. As soon as your friendly server approaches and gives you bread and a wonderful white bean spread, you'll be one of the group.
We started with Caprese (with fresh buffalo mozzarella) and a Caesar salad. Two appetizers fed three of us with leftovers.
We then went on to linguine chock full of clams, pizza and pasta with homemade sausage and mozzarella.
Everything was generous and delicioso.
Almost everything is finished in their high-heat brick oven, which gives a lovely crusty topping.
Make a reservation so you won't be disappointed. And don't do what we did -- leave room for dessert!
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG e-mail comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
Received via e-mail 6/20/2008
In our recent trip to Boston we visited one of our favorite restaurants in the North End. (The traditionally Italian Section of Boston).
Antico Forno
93 Salem St. North End
Boston, MA 617-723-6733
When you walk into Antico Forno, the first thing that will strike you is the noise. Happy diners seem to love to chatter. As soon as your friendly server approaches and gives you bread and a wonderful white bean spread, you'll be one of the group.
We started with Caprese (with fresh buffalo mozzarella) and a Caesar salad. Two appetizers fed three of us with leftovers.
We then went on to linguine chock full of clams, pizza and pasta with homemade sausage and mozzarella.
Everything was generous and delicioso.
Almost everything is finished in their high-heat brick oven, which gives a lovely crusty topping.
Make a reservation so you won't be disappointed. And don't do what we did -- leave room for dessert!
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG e-mail comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
Received via e-mail 6/20/2008
Labels: Restaurant Review
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Legal Seafood Restaurant
Charles Square - in Harvard Square, Cambridge
Open basically 11am to 10 or 11pm depending upon the day of the week
Sunday Brunch is served from 11am-2:30pm.
Telephone for reservations 617-491-9400
So this day we had high expectations for our meal at Legal Seafood. It turned out to be just ho-hum. You can still get a decent meal there, and some dishes are excellent, but the quality is spotty and the draw backs are many.
Our first problem - our coats. It was a cold day, we were dressed for the weather and when we arrived there was no place to put them. Since it was a busy time of day, we couldn't draw up extra chairs because there were none close by so we shifted in our seats with our coats thrown over the backs of our chairs and the lumpiness of that very uncomfortable. The waitresses apologized for having no place to put our coats, but looking around the room they must have spent a lot of time apologizing to a lot of people that day.
We started with the Lobster Bisque with mouths watering from the description and were very disappointed when it was served. With great fanfare, the small bowls arrived and the wait staff put the lobster meat into the bowls and then the hot liquid. There was a need for these theatrics because if you hadn't seen the little teaspoons of lobster going into the bottom of the empty bowls, once the liquid was poured you wouldn't have known there was lobster meat in your Bisque.
When we tasted the Bisque it was thin, sort of adequate, but not great. It tasted as though it was made of the equivalent of dry powdered milk, lots of water and a little lobster stock thrown in with food coloring to fool the eye. Having been raised on really great Crawfish and Crab Bisque, I was looking forward to giving my taste buds the advantage of another great dish, especially on this cold day. Instead of the wonderfully thick and tasty Bisques on which I was raised, this one brought an abrupt end to great expectations.
We moved on to Ceasar Salad and that was barely adequate. I look for anchovies in my salad since that is what makes a great Ceasar Salad - otherwise it is lettuce with a sort of adequate salad dressing, but please don't call it a Ceasar Salad. The rest of the meal was quite nice, but averaging things out I would say this meal was adequate to disappointing.
We enjoyed the restaurant environment and the large picture windows where we looked out over the cleaning crew washing the middle of lovely, large, desolately empty Charles Square with all of the clanging and loud chattering that this entailed. Thankfully, we met several friends coming and going from the restaurant so the social side was quite nurturing, its just too bad the dishes we were served didn't make the grade - cut the mustard - leave us feeling well fed and beautifully cared for on this cold day.
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Labels: Restaurant Review
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